U2 finally giving golf a try
When the members of the rock band U2 were just young Irish lads, they made a pledge to each other that has remained steadfast throughout their decades-long run as rock stars.
But frontman Bono said the band is now willing to break that promise in order to raise money for his (RED) charity in the fight against HIV-AIDS. “U2 made a pledge early on, as teenagers actually, when we formed the band that the one thing we would never ever do — and it was a sacred pledge — was to play golf,” Bono said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “We didn’t think it was rock ’n’ roll.”
The chance to play a round of minigolf with one of the world’s most popular rock bands is just one of the once-in-a-lifetime celebrity experiences that are being raffled off at Omaze.com/RED as a part of the (RED) Shopathon campaign for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. For a $10 donation by Jan. 18, you get a chance to work out with Charlize Theron, go to a movie première with Reese Witherspoon.
Bono also teamed up again this year with talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel for a (RED) charity special on Tuesday. Kimmel and other celebrities pretended to be home shopping hosts describing specially branded (RED) products available online at Amazon.com/RED.
Formed by Bono and Bobby Shriver, (RED) has raised $500 million in 11 years to provide testing, prevention, treatment, counselling and care services in eight sub-Saharan African countries.
Bono credits the U.S. people and its government for leading the fight against HIV-AIDS.
“In a very divided America, this is one issue that left and right can take equal measures of pride in the success of the fight so far against HIV-AIDS,” Bono said.
But he said the need for attention was more critical now that treatment and prevention of HIV-AIDS are at a tipping point.
“There are more people now on anti-retroviral drugs than are newly infected,” Bono said. “Just as this is happening, right at this moment, defeat could be seized from the jaws of victory. People are talking about cutting budgets on Capitol Hill and other capitals around the world.”